What Is Pelvic Steaming?

Pelvic steaming is when a person sits, squats, or kneels over a pot of warm herbal steam for 10-30 minutes. The amount of time and the herbs infused into the steam water are both specific to the conditions of the steamer.

PREVENTATIVE CARE Ideally, pelvic steaming is a preventative pelvic health routine that everyone has access to. You can begin before you have unwanted pelvic symptoms, which helps keep them from arising, and for those who menstruate, pelvic steaming offers pain free, easeful periods.

ACUTE CARE Most arrive at pelvic steam therapy long after they have struggled with difficult periods, frequent infections, uti’s and more…

How long a person will pelvic steam to deal with unwanted pelvic symptoms depends on what plan the Peristeam Hydrotherapist has recommended, and the person’s interest and dedication to the process. Commonly it takes 5-7 steams up to 1 month for acute symptoms to immediately feel better. Then, anywhere from 3-6, or 9 months to see symptoms completely vanish and the body begin to re-balance. Conditions that are chronic (persistent and/or stubborn) can take up to a year or more to re-balance.

MAINTENANCE PLAN Once you are no longer experiencing the symptoms that brought you to pelvic steaming, the frequency of steaming may be reduced to once a week, or even just once a month to maintain pelvic health.

We call this the “maintenance plan” as we are creatures of habit and bodies tend to fall back into the patterns of imbalance that led to the original symptoms. It often takes a combined approach of pelvic steaming, intentional food choices or internal herbal supports, and some lifestyle shifts to get to the root of pelvic imbalances. Often the root of imbalances can be due to:

  • our digestion (emotional/physical)

  • how much or little we rest

  • and the ever present socio-economic realities we live with.

Continual pelvic steaming will help encourage the body’s ability to continue balancing to all of these external/internal forces.

(Your Pelvic Steam Hydrotherapist will help you decide what is the best maintenance schedule for you.)

TRADITIONAL FOLKWAYS Pelvic steaming is a tool, or technology, used in many lineages worldwide for maintaining pelvic health, and in the birthing realm. Click here to view a map with links to information on cultures who have recorded a pelvic steaming tradition. If you have information from a place not yet on the map please let me know so I can pass along the info and source/s to add to the map (The Survey of The Worldwide Practice of Vaginal Steaming)!

In some cultures the knowledge and understanding of pelvic steaming has been maintained by folk or indigenous practitioners who have had this knowledge passed on to them for centuries (there are accounts in ancient texts).

The rest of us, for whom this knowledge was lost (or eradicated through the process of colonization), are experiential learners studying the testimonials and case studies of pelvic steamers before us who have been using this knowledge longer than we have. Experiential learners can begin this journey at the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute founded by Keli Garza who has created a worlwide database of pelvic steamers, and has distilled the modern knowledge of pelvic steaming into courses that provide a foundation for your learning. She is the first to certify Peristeam Hydrotherapists at a Masters level.

Pelvic steaming is considered an effective alternative therapy that compliments most medical care, as well as other “alternative” therapies. The following specialists can refer someone to a Pelvic Steam Therapist, although pelvic steaming is not yet covered by most insurance: Acupuncturist, Chiropractor, Massage Therapist, Pelvic Floor Therapist, Nurse Practitioner, Naturopath, Midwife, Doula, Gynecologist, and Fertility Specialists.

Pelvic steaming is an elemental cooperation between plants, fire, water, and people.

Other Pleasant side effects of steaming can be

  • relaxation

  • deep sleep

  • vaginal nectar (clear pleasant-smelling natural lubrication)

  • heightened libido and sexual sensation

  • circulation improvement

  • water retention disbursement

  • hormone balancing

  • skin clearing

  • toned and strengthened vaginal canal and pelvic floor

  • scar softening

Pelvic steaming will support the body in the following…

Infections of the reproductive organs and lower digestive system (inner and outer)

  • HPV

  • UTI

  • Bacterial Vaginosa BV

  • yeast infection

  • irregular discharge

  • malodor

  • herpes

  • Bartholin cysts

  • external cysts & bumps

  • pilonidal cysts

  • helps prevent and resolve ingrown hairs

Sex, Preparing for menstruation, and Dr. visits

  • painful sex (or before sex for the first time)

  • sexual trauma

  • menarchy (and rite of passage practice)

  • help reduce pain in pelvic exams, procedures (before and after)

Menstrual Irregularities

  • PCOS

  • ovarian or cervical cysts

  • cervical polyps

  • uterine fibroids

  • endometriosis

  • missing periods

  • cramps

  • PMS - PPMD symptoms

  • tender breasts

  • pre-period migraines

  • long periods

  • heavy bleeding

  • scant bleeding

  • spotting or bleeding between periods

  • more than one period a month

General pelvic imbalances in all bodies

  • hemorrhoids

  • constipation

  • diarrhea

  • prostate Issues

  • general pelvic tension / pain

  • pain conditions in buttock anatomy

  • unexplained pain in the lower digestive organs

  • creative blocks

  • stagnant ‘root’ energy

  • difficulties with feelings of safety, security, abandonment, intimacy and vulnerability

Grief and Loss

  • emotional release and assisting in trauma/grief processing

  • pregnancy loss care

  • bring on the period care

Childbearing Years